Is it really here? Spring? Maybe? Stop teasing us ok? Enough of the whacko weather, let’s get down to some serious sunshine and HEAT….

This week we had one day of clear blue skies and sun so I summoned the energy and courage to finish the dreaded de-thatching of the lawn.  I found out something…we have a LOT of lawn space.   If you do not know about de-thatching, you are lucky, more on that topic next week….suffice it to say de-thatching a lawn makes for a very exhausted and sore Homesteader.  There are still many other outdoor Spring chores to … Read more...

Ever have a really strong, unexplainable craving?  I mean, so strong a hankering that you will stop at nothing to satisfy it?  That has been me lately with quinoa.  The stuff has been on my mind for a couple weeks but I have not had the time to sit down to come up with something new and tasty…and good for the waistline, which has gotten out of hand since Easter.  My yoga pants are becoming all too comfortable and I really begrudge getting out of my jammie bottoms to leave the house.

So today I decided it was time to … Read more...

How Many Cookbooks Is Too Many?

I can’t be the only one with a fondness for collecting cookbooks.  Over the years, I have amassed a bundle, enough to start my own bookstore even.  One side of the store would feature cookbooks, the other would be devoted to the fictional works of Tom Clancy, Robert Ludlum and  Clive Cussler (those would be my hubby’s fav authors).

Pretty much at least half the cookbooks I own I purchased myself or were given to me as gifts, but the remaining half were handed down from my Grandmother after she moved to a nursing … Read more...

Don’t let the list of odd ingredients fool you, the flavours of this hearty soup meld beautifully and the addition of the orange beets are a great way to get a serious boost of fiber, potassium and calcium into your diet.  Beets are a low-energy dense food, meaning they have a low calorie content for its serving size, and the fiber makes you feel fuller longer as well as aiding in digestion.

Ok…enough of the blah blah blah health benefits of eating beets – just try the recipe out, you will love it!

Turkey, Carrot and Orange Beet Soup

Ingredients… Read more...

I liked having the menu done early last week, so I will carry it forward to be posted every Friday vs Monday to showcase the following week’s menu….makes it easier for me to plan and shop beforehand too.

This coming weekend is supposed to be damp, so aside from working Saturday, I think Sunday will just be a lounge around in pajamas all day with my knitting ~ and some hot chocolate featuring Bailey’s for a boost….sounds like a good day to me!

Enjoy your weekend everyone!

Here is next week’s meal inspiration for you….

Recipe Links

Home-Made Pizza Dough… Read more...

What better way to showcase your Easter Brunch or Dinner Table than with an edible arrangement?  Your kids will go ga-ga over them and it beats fresh cut flowers any day.

This is a super yummy basic Sugar Cookie Dough recipe that will soon become a staple in your cookie repertoire…and they are not just for Easter either, but will also become a standard for making cookies at Christmas, Halloween, Valentines Day, or whenever you want to make ‘cut out’ cookies.  This recipe will be your new go-to from now on.

Ingredients

1 1/2 Cups Un-Salted Butter, softened
5 Cups … Read more...

Have you recovered?

From all the fun and frivolity of St. Patrick’s Day and all things green? I have, although I kept my beer green-free as I can’t bring myself to drink something that looks like a Leprechaun peed in it.

The highlight of the weekend was enjoying a delicious steak dinner while watching the NASCAR race from Bristol Motor Speedway yesterday, one of the best tracks to watch a race from (which we had the pleasure of attending a few years ago) and while watching the race, I was contemplating what to do with this week’s menu….

I decided … Read more...